Homecoming Cats Pretend To Be Kernet Cargo Trucks From Sumbawa To Banyuwangi, Discovered In Bali

DENPASAR - There have been attempts by travelers to escape the isolation during the period of homecoming prohibition. The cat-and-mouse homecoming tried to trick the officers even though in the end many were caught.

At Padangbai Port, Bali, the Joint Task Force found travelers riding cargo trucks. The travelers who want to return to their hometowns to Banyuwangi, East Java, are then asked to make a U-turn.

"There was a passenger who looked suspicious and after being interrogated that he was not the kernet, he claimed he was carrying goods. After checking that he was the passenger in the vehicle. Finally, from the integrated post, he suggested that he be returned (to Sumbawa)," said Danpos TNI AL Candidasa, Lt. Yasa quoted Antara, Friday, May 7.

After going through the interrogation process, it was discovered that the statements of the passengers and truck drivers were different. After being coordinated, it turned out that the passenger was entrusted by the superior of the shipping company to join the cargo truck.

The second violation, the passenger did not carry an antigen rapid test document which is a requirement for cross-province travel.

"This cargo truck to Denpasar continues to Banyuwangi, and this passenger comes from Banyuwangi. If you see he is carrying personal belongings. The joint decision is sent back there," he said.

Based on the passenger's admission, he claimed to work in Sumbawa, NTB and would return to his hometown to Banyuwangi.

"We do not just return passengers. We must interrogate them first. Do not let them escape here and find them in other parts," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Padangbai Integrated Service Post AKP I Made Dwi Susila. According to him, the violations committed by the passengers included planning to go home even though it was prohibited, not carrying an antigen rapid test letter, not being included in special conditions and riding in a cargo truck.

"Maybe this time he wants to return from Sumbawa to Banyuwangi, there is a cargo truck going there, this opportunity he took advantage of. This truck is an expeditionary cargo truck but this passenger claims to work as an ornamental fish trader," he said.

Apart from the travelers who entered Bali, the Padangbai Port also examined dozens of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) who came from West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province who were leaving Bali.

However, they are allowed to cross via the Padangbai-Bali Port because they have met the requirements according to Circular (SE) Number 8 of 2021 concerning International Travel Health Protocol during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.

"According to SE No. 8 of 2021, the enforcement of migrant workers or Indonesian citizens returning from overseas trips. Based on the SE, when they return to Indonesia they have to swab and the results are negative and they have been quarantined. The PMIs have been quarantined for five days in Surabaya. "said Karangasem Police Chief AKBP Ni Nyoman Suartini, May 6.